BATON ROUGE, La. — Olivia Dunne, a part of LSU's national championship gymnastics team in 2024 and a social media sensation with millions following her on TikTok, will return to Baton Rouge for her fifth and final season, it was announced Monday.
Dunne made the announcement on her social media platforms, saying that even though she has a lot of opportunities outside the athletic arena, there is nothing like putting on the purple and gold and performing in front of packed houses at LSU.
“I’m a completely different person than I was four years ago. I’ve learned how to juggle so many responsibilities, how to chase big dreams, and how to stay calm in the face of difficult challenges,” said Dunne.
Dunne joins teammates Haleigh Bryant, Sierra Ballard, Chase Brock and Alyona Shchennikova, who are all set to return for their final season next year.
The All-American from Hillsdale, New Jersey, found her stride in 2024 and isn't done just yet. This year, she competed on bars and floor for the Tigers, appearing in nine meets and earning season highs of 9.875 and 9.900 on the two events.
Dunne's celebrity puts the spotlight on her but she is also a great teammate as she won the "Coaches Award" that is given to the "ultimate team player."
Dunne has performed primarily as a specialist and to sub in on some routines due to injuries, but her goal is to do even more.
“This past year I found a renewed love of the sport. I had trained a lot in the off season, so I felt really strong and healthy from the start and ready to contribute,” said Dunne. “I really enjoyed the dynamic of the team this year and it all came together well. Winning the national championships was a great team accomplishment, but I feel like I have more to give as an individual competitor.”